HIGUAIN BREAKS DEADLOCK

GONZALO HIGUAIN may not be in top physical form but 30 minutes of playing time from the Argentine striker proved the difference between the sides as Juventus beat Olympiakos 2-0 in their Champions League Group D clash in Turin yesterday. Higuain’s direct running and goal-poacher’s instincts proved too much for a tiring Olympiakos defence and he pounced on his own rebound to slot home the opening goal nine minutes after coming on. “I made a choice,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri told Italian television. “Higuain was in less good shape compared to the others, but he is already moving quicker. He has never been a problem and never will be. He’s a player that can make a difference and win us games,” he added. Juventus had spent the first hour of yesterday’s clash looking dominant but not threatening, but that would all change with the introduction of Higuain. With his instinctive positioning, crosses into the box that previously looked aimless became dangerous, and he also freed up space for strike partner Mario Mandzukic, who netted the second goal in the 80th minute. Juve captain Gianluigi Buffon also praised Higuain for his effort. “People will say the credit should go to Allegri or his teammates, but the credit goes to him (Higuain), because in such moments the only one that can give the answer is the one directly concerned. I congratulate him and we are very happy, we needed him and his goals.”